Three Ball

A pool game played with 3 balls, where the object is to pocket the last ball on the table.

Six Ball

A pool game played with 6 balls, where the object is to pocket the six ball.

Eight Ball

A pool game where the object is to pocket all of the striped or solid balls, saving the 8-ball for last.

Nine Ball

A pool game played with 9 balls, where the object is to sink the 9 ball.

Ten Ball

A pool game played with 10 balls, where the object is to sink the 10 ball.

Amplify

Mouse movements are exaggerated when amplify is on, causing mouse movements to make larger changes.

Ball-in-hand

A player who has ball-in-hand can place the ball anywhere on the table or (depending on the game and situation) anywhere behind the head string.

Ball On

The ball/s legally playable in Snooker. If a color after potting a red the shooter selects the ball on.

Bank

Playing a ball off of one or more rails and then into a pocket.

Bank Pool

A pool game where the object is to score 8 balls by banking them in.

Billiard Shot

A shot where the cue ball caroms off an object ball and into another object ball knocking it into a pocket.

Blast

A shot with high velocity.

Break

The first shot; the one which scatters the racked balls.

Call Shot

Specifying the ball and pocket for a shot attempt.

Carom Shot

A shot where an object ball is collides with another object ball and goes into a pocket.

Center Spot

Spot in the center of the table.

Color

The Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Pink, and Black balls in Snooker.

Combination

Playing a shot that hits multiple object balls in a series and pockets the last object ball hit.

Cue Ball

The white ball that you hit with the cue stick so that it strikes the other balls.

Cue Stick

The stick used to hit the cue ball.

Cue Tip

The end of the cue stick that makes contact with the cue ball.

Diamonds

Markers on the table that are used to assist aiming banks and kick shots.  The markers and the pockets divide the long side of the table into eight equal parts.  The markers divide the short side of the table into four equal parts.

Draw

Hitting the cue ball below center, producing back spin on the ball.

End Rail

The rails at either end of the table.

English

Hitting the cue ball off center to the right or left producing right or left spin on the ball.

Fine Tune

Mouse movements are more precise when Fine Tune is on, causing mouse movements to make smaller changes.

Follow

Hitting the cue ball above center, producing top spin on the ball.

Foot Spot

Where the balls are racked and spotted.

Foul

An infraction of the rules of play as defined in either the general or the specific game rules.  The penalty depends on the game.

Free Ball

In Snooker, a free ball can be nominated by the shooter after his opponent fouls and leaves the cue snookered. Free balls are always colors.

Free Shot

In UK Rules Eight Ball, a Free Shot is awarded when the opponent fouls. The shooter gets one free shot at the balls and gets to keep shooting even if no balls are pocketed.

Frozen

A ball which is touching the rail or another ball.

Handicap

An advantage given to the lesser player to make the chance of winning even.

Head Spot

Spot in center of head string.

Head String

The imaginary line between the two center diamonds at the head of the table.  You must break from behind this line.

House Rules

Many pool halls and bars have their own specific set of rules for a game.  For instance, many places don’t allow masse’ shots for fear of damage to the tables’ felt.

In Out

The British term for Scratch.

Inning

One player’s turn at the table.  Ends at the end of a game, a missed shot, or a foul.

Jump Shot

Jumping the cue ball over other balls by hitting down on the ball with a raised butt and bouncing the cue off the table. Digging under the cue ball is illegal.

Kiss Shot

Hitting two frozen object balls at an angle so that an object ball is pocketed along the line perpendicular to the frozen balls.

Kitchen

The area behind the head string.

Masse’

A shot in which extreme English is applied to the cue ball by means of elevating the butt of the cue.

Miscall

Making a shot other than the one intended.

Object Ball

Any ball hit by the cue ball.

One Pocket

A pool game where the object is to score 8 balls into your pocket.

Open Break

A requirement to hit at least four balls to rails on the break, or pocket a ball.

Pocket

To legally sink a ball into a pocket.  The word ‘‘make’‘ is also used.

Position

To pocket a ball and leave the cue ball in position for the next shot.

Pot

The British term for Pocket a ball.

Race

To play a match where the winner is the first to win a specified number of games.

Rack

To set up balls at the beginning of the game; also, the cluster of balls set up at the beginning of a game.

Rails

The raised edges of the playing surface off which the balls bounce.

Rating

A players rank determined by a points trading system where you gain/lose points for every game. Point count gained/lost is dependent on difference in player ratings.

Rotation Pool

A pool game where you have to sink the balls in numerical order.  Each ball is worth its number in points, first player to 61 wins.

Run

To make several consecutive balls.

Run Out

To make all of the balls on the table without giving your opponent a chance to shoot.

Safety

A defensive shot designed to leave your opponent in a very poor position.

Scratch

Pocketing the cue ball.

Side Rail

The rails on the sides of the table.

Slop

A ball that is pocketed by luck.

Snookered

When there is total or partial blockage of paths from the cue to any ball on.

Spot

To place a ball at the foot spot as a result of a scratch or other foul.

Straight Pool

A game where the balls are worth one point each and can be pocketed in any order.  The game is played up to a pre-set number of points.

Table in Position

Accepting the table from your opponent with all balls in the same place.

The Nuts

Tracking

Dog It

Barking

Lay Down

Run Out, Run

Clean Living

Smash the Cash

Brunswick

Slop

Top, High

Back, Screw 

Side 

Plays Jam Up

Jack It Up

Cheese

Mud

Choke

Dog

Jack Up

Bust ‘em

A match you can’t lose.

Feature of Virtual Pool 3 that shows you the exact path of every ball on the table, based on the current Aim and Force level.

Choking.

See “Dog It”.

Play below your level to get a better match.

Make all your balls in one turn.

A popular reason for good luck.

Blasting the nine ball(money ball) really hard in hopes of getting lucky slop.

When hit hard rattle in the pocket jaws and pops out.  A common trait of Brunswick tables.

Making balls the easy way….luck.

See Follow.

See Draw.

See English.

Tough customer, plays real good especially for cash.

Raise The Bet.

The 9-ball is called “the cheese”.

In Snooker the black ball is called “The Mud”.

Missing an easy big money shot.

See Dog It.

Lift the butt of the cue stick up.

Breaking the balls.